About
Virginia Women Leading Government (VWLG) was founded on the belief that local government is stronger when leadership reflects the diversity of the community it serves.
A Commonwealth Led by Many Voices
In Virginia’s local governments, the decisions made today shape the communities of tomorrow. VWLG believes the effectiveness of those decisions increases when women are included in the conversation. Founded as an affiliate of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), VWLG is a non-partisan organization dedicated to the professional success of women in public service.
What VWLG Does
VWLG bridges the gap between ambition and achievement. While women make up a significant portion of the public sector workforce, they remain underrepresented in executive leadership. VWLG addresses this through:
Purposeful Networking
Connecting leaders across Virginia’s 95 counties and 38 cities.
Skill Cultivation
Providing technical and leadership training tailored to the unique challenges of local government.
Legacy Building
Mentoring the next generation of women to ensure the pipeline of talent continues to flow.
Why It MattersÂ
When women lead, communities thrive. VWLG brings diverse perspectives, collaborative problem-solving, and a deep-seated commitment to the public good. VWLG is more than a professional group; it’s a movement to ensure every woman in Virginia local government has the tools, the network, and the confidence to say, "I am a leader."
Virginia Women Leading Government helps women in local government advance and excel in public service roles through advocacy with decision-makers and by providing career-building, leadership developments, networking, and mentoring opportunities.
Mission
Virginia Women Leading Government envisions a future where every woman in local government has a strong network of peers, mentors, and champions who inspire her growth, support her leadership journey, and help her navigate the unique challenges of public service.Â
Vision
Values
Equity in Leadership
Advocate for a local government workforce that reflects the diverse communities in the commonwealth at every level of management.
Radical Candor
Foster an environment where women can share real-world challenges, successes, and "lessons learned" with transparency and professional support.
Collaborative Excellence
Believe we are stronger together and prioritize building bridges between jurisdictions and across career stages.
Continuous Evolution
Commit to lifelong learning through professional development and the mastery of emerging municipal trends.
Integrity in Service
Uphold the highest ethical standards of the ICMA Code of Ethics, ensuring public trust remains the foundation of our work.